I'm sunbathing next to a palm tree on one side and a group of girls in bikinis reading Heidegger on the other. No, this is not some wet dream of mine, but the lovely Pomona campus. After waking up at noon to attend a lecture on China's influence on Africa and having coffee with a friend, it's so pleasant to lie in the eighty degree weather and read ( Read more... )

I used an umbrella today. It was only drizzling ( Read more... )

My schedule has finally coalesced. I had my first reading assignment, and I actually did it. My huge room looks quite spiffy. I plan to go running today, and my photo teacher's first words to me were to accuse me of being an alcoholic just because I was an anthro major in front of a thirty people. So far so good. This will probably be the last ( Read more... )

Today is the death of summer. I'm taking the red eye to New York, and I have to start making decisions about classes and going abroad right away. I'm not ready for the switch in lifestyle yet. It wasn't that it was a lazy summer. I worked legitimately hard, but after work, you're done. There is nothing else you should be doing. There is no paper ( Read more... )

After driving through Beverly Hills and gawking at people on Rodeo Drive, after walking along Venice Beach and studying the artificially enhanced inhabitants, one thing has become clear to me ( Read more... )

After dinner for the last two weeks, I'd get stoned and watch the sunset. These weren't just any sunsets mind you, but sunsets from some of the most stunning locations in the U.S. Sure, some of the hikes up to the locations were grunts, and there were moments where I missed friends, family, and flush toilets, but the last two weeks in the ( Read more... )

I'm minutes away from leaving. Anytime now I'm going to start the long drive to Glacier National. I don't think I've been this excited and nervous about a trip before. Ever. Granted, it'll be a physical challenge. Carrying 75 lbs even if it'll get lighter should be taxing, but that's not what I'm worried about. For two weeks straight, it will be ( Read more... )

I can be stupid sometimes. I choose to believe this rather than the alternative that I am stupid ( Read more... )

I'm going to Montana ( Read more... )

Sitting alone at a table in Blue Hour drinking a plum martini and watching well-dressed creative types come in and out, I thought how beautiful, hip, and successful people in Portland are. China Forbes, from Pink Martini, was behind me, and a gaggle of French master chefs were being impressed with Portland cuisine to my right. The decor was as ( Read more... )